Having a grateful heart helps those in need

Byline2:

Savannah

A group of college students decided they would take one Saturday a month and assist widows in the church. That was straight from the Bible. They wanted to take on a Biblical cause and widows and orphans are without a doubt mentioned repeatedly.

So they went to a widow’s house one afternoon. It was quite hot. They so much wanted to do something special. The widow obviously was not in major need but her yard work was without question in need of attention. There was a lot to be done.

Things were going along just fine. That was until her 21-year old college student son decided to come outside and shoot basketball in the driveway. He was not all that social. In fact, he was quite rude.

One by one the college students built an attitude of resentment. Words began to fly. Before you knew it, the work came to a screeching halt. Excuses were being made. Finally, one brave volunteer decided to speak up.

“How was this helping widows?” He pleaded. “She doesn’t need us. Let her son do it,” came the attitude. “We aren’t going to do this anymore” settled into the young hearts and minds.

Were they right? Maybe.

Could not the adult son give a hand? Probably.

What was going on here? Good question.

Assisting those in need whether it is widows, homeless, the poor or simply those who can’t seem to make it in life is not only an issue of their need but also an issue of our own hearts.

As we sat and talked with the willing helpers good questions began to surface. They were questions that left the caregiver to come to the conclusion. They were questions that penetrated the heart.

“Did anyone consider the 21-year-old young man as fatherless?”

“Has anyone ever lost their mother and father and possibly know what is going on in their heart and soul?”

“What do you think may be his thoughts?”

“Does anyone know his name? His story?”

“Is assisting those in need dependent upon what we think it should be or the intent of our heart?” What is the intent of the heart in relation to doing all to the glory of God when we lend a hand to anyone?”

“Do we have to see results? What defines service to the needy? Business?”

“Who is our neighbor? What defines a ‘Good Samaritan?”

These questions began to sober the young student’s hearts. They began to see into their own intent. The young brave voice asked for forgiveness. He not only asked it of the group but he was willing to humble himself before the young 21 year old man who in many ways in the loss of his father was still a boy. He asked forgiveness for making his service the object of his heart. He gained much wisdom that day as well as others who returned to their work with a grateful heart.

They learned the wisdom of grace. Caring for the weak and needy is not an issue of busy service but of a grateful heart to touch a life because of our love. And, it doesn’t matter if the touch is small or large. A touch is a touch.

To read more by John Ring, check out his blog at johnring.wordpress.com.